Birmingham magazine's top pop culture picks for June

What to Read: "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen" by Christopher McDougall

Why does my foot hurt?" This simple question inspired award-winning writer and runner Christopher McDougall to go in search of the elusive Tarahumara Indian tribe--famous for their ultra-distance running skills--in the remote and dangerous Cooper Canyons of Mexico.

His experiences and research resulted in the page-turning book "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen."

The book starts with the adrenaline-pumping search for the Tarahumara, which includes close calls with drug traffickers and feels much like a Hollywood

Christopher McDougall

blockbuster script. The scene shifts to profile other ultra-runners across the world, including a California teacher, Ann Trason, who competes against Tarahumara runners in the Leadville Trail 100, an extreme high-altitude ultra-marathon in Colorado.

McDougall digs into the runners' abilities to thrive and enjoy the extremes they push their body through. The book concludes with an epic race in the Cooper Canyons with the Tarahumara paired against America's best ultra-runners. The book is an inspiring look at the human race and our power to both run and live.

What to Subscribe to: "Out There"Former Wyoming NPR host Willow Belden quit her job to spend a summer hiking the Colorado Trail, which inspired her to launch a podcast about how the outdoors helps answer life's big questions. The podcast includes a variety of guests who talk about a their experiences, from living in Antarctica to coping with sports injuries from skiing. It was recently ranked as the number one outdoor podcast on iTunes.

What to Binge: "Rock the Park"If you need some summer vacation ideas, tune into "Rock the Park" to follow two friends, Jack Steward and Colton Smith, as they visit each of the United States' 100 national parks. In the past four seasons, the duo's adventures have ranged from bear sightings to volcano hiking. The program won a Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Travel Program and airs on ABC.

What to Download: Maps.meThe offline GPS app Maps.me is a must-have for all hikers and anyone traveling to areas without phone service. Simply download a map of where you are going, and the app will help you navigate efficiently without phone service. It also allows you to create and edit routes, which many hikers share online. Be sure to read the app user guide before using it in remote locations. Another highlight is that the app is completely free--no in-app purchases! It's available through the Apple store and Google Play.

What to Watch: "Meru""Meru" is the ultimate outdoor documentary about risk, obsession, and friendship. National Geographic photographer and professional mountaineer Jimmy Chin attempts to summit the Shark's Fin on Mount Meru in Northern India with two friends--mountaineer Conrad Anker and rock climber Renan Ozturk. The film follows their nail-biting journey in sub-zero temperatures, as they attempt to be the first team to reach the summit, which has had more failed attempts than any other route in the Himalayas. The documentary, which won the Audience Award for a U.S. Documentary at Sundance in 2015, is available on Netflix and Amazon.

Who to Follow: @alexstrohlTravel and commercial photographer Alex Strohl's Instagram feed looks like an

issue of National Geographic. Every landscape image is an extraordinary view of the outdoor world that will leave you wondering how he captured the frame. From mountain tops to under the sea, Strohl's photos will leave inspire you to get out and explore the great outdoors.

--By Anna Mazurek

This story appears in Birmingham magazine's June 2018 issue. Subscribe today!